Those Reviled Perfectly Legal Employee Dress Codes

Dec. 17, 2010— -- Workers around the world shared a good chuckle Wednesday when the Wall Street Journal reported on the meticulous, 43-page dress code that banking giant UBS AG recently imposed on its retail branch employees in Switzerland.

Among the highlights: Women must button their jacket when standing, unbutton it when sitting. Men must tie knots that match the shape of their face and body. Women should wear "light makeup consisting of foundation, mascara and discreet lipstick" because doing so will "enhance your personality." Men who are graying shouldn't dye their hair because the "artificial color contrasts excessively with the actual age of your skin."

Short sleeves, cuff links, stubble, a preponderance of facial hair and jackets stored on wire hangers are verboten. Same goes for short socks that don't completely cover one's calves when seated. And garlic, onions and smoking at lunch are out of the question.

Of course, you don't have to look far to find other employers with excruciatingly detailed policies on how their workers should clothe and groom themselves. My inbox is filled with tidbits from workers whose employers have banned everything from red power suits to Dockers (not the pants style, just the brand) and enforced guidelines about jewelry, nail polish, sideburn length, skirt length and visible panty lines.

Take Charlotte, who worked at a large business services company in Oklahoma with a dress code that sounds like it was lifted from a "Mad Men" script.

"They still require women to wear skirt suits, nylons and heels," e-mailed Charlotte, who recently left the company and, like all workers interviewed for this column, didn't want her real name used. "Pants are not an option for women, even when traveling for business. How many times people mistook me for a flight attendant over the years!"

Then there's Natalia, whose dress code during her tenure with the estate of a well-known rock musician was unexpectedly unyielding.